Qatar to develop three economic zones

Monday, 15 April 2013 08:26

Apart from the primary functions, the planned economic zones will also offer an integrated range of services that incorporate housing, commercial and recreational facilities. (Image source: jikatu/Flickr)Qatar's state-owned Economic Zones Company (EZC) has embarked on a project to develop three economic zones in Doha and its suburbs

According to a report in Qatar-based daily Gulf Times, these zones will provide an environment for the development of various industries and benefit investors due to their location, infrastructure and services networks, synergy with existing or developing industrial and commercial players such as Mesaieed Industrial City, New Doha Port, Hamad International Airport and Doha Industrial City.

EZC has been mandated by the Qatari Ministry of Business & Trade to develop an integrated plan for the development of these areas for existing and future projects.

As part of this project, three economic zones will be set up – Qatar Economic Zone 1, Qatar Economic Zone 2 and Qatar Economic Zone 3.

EZC said that these economic zones will be able to offer total area for development, which wil be 25 per cent larger than Doha’s existing industrial area.

Qatar Economic Zone 2 will spread over 11.95 sq km, south of the existing Doha Industrial Area while Qatar Economic Zone 3 will be a 33.52 sq km development adjoining the new port project, south of Wakrah.

EZC revealed that these zones will focus on value-added manufacturing, including major sectors such as downstream metals, downstream petrochemicals, maritime and other industries.

In addition to their primary functions, the planned economic zones will also offer an integrated range of services that incorporate housing, commercial and recreational facilities.

According to Fahad Rashid al-Kaabi, who has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of EZC, Qatar is committed to spending around US$125bn on construction and energy projects over the next six years, with around 35 per cent dedicated to the development of public infrastructure.